APPROVAL

When the Manager summoned me to his office this morning, I was scared, not because I had done anything wrong, but because all the times I have ever heard him summon anyone to his office, it was to give them their letter of termination.

“Hello Miss Stephanie, please take a seat,” he greeted me the moment I entered his office.

“Let’s get to the matter at hand. The reason why I summoned you here is that we are having some slight changes in the office, and it would affect you.” Then he paused, “Give me a minute, please, I need to make a quick phone call,” he said, reaching for his phone.”

“There it is!”  I thought to myself.

After working for almost five years as a dentist at the cabana dental clinic, it hurts that they would be letting me off with just a piece of paper. Although rumors have been flying around, the company may be taken over by new management, but I always thought I was an important staff, and they couldn’t just let me off like that. If I was honest with myself, I knew I was long over-due for a promotion.

“Sorry about that,” he apologized, interrupting my thoughts

“No worries sir,” I responded

“A new management will be taking over the clinic by next month, and they intend to open a new branch in Ogun state, so they assigned me to speak with our best dentist at the moment and ask if he or she would like to be the head dentist at the new branch. You have served this clinic diligently, and I don’t think anyone else is more suitable for this position. That’s why I made you my first choice.

My heart did a 360-degree leap of joy at first, knowing that I still had a job. But the problem was I couldn’t decide if to take the promotion or not because I didn’t know if Chike would approve of me accepting it.

Chike and I have been dating for almost two years, and I had a feeling that he would be proposing marriage to me soon. Although we both work as dentists in different clinics, I don’t think he would be okay with me having to move to another state for work.

My friend was in a similar situation last year, and the moment she moved to work in another state, her fiancé started cheating on her, so she had to break up with him. I am 28 years old, and I can’t take such chances.

“This means a lot to me sir and I really appreciate the opportunity, but can you please give me some time to think about it? “ I eventually responded.

“I am afraid we don’t have such luxury at the moment, a decision has to be made now so that I can report back to the board.”

“Okay. But can I at least make a phone call, then get back to you in few minutes?”

“As you wish, but you have just 5 minutes, after which I would be giving the offer to someone else.”

“Thank you” I stood up and immediately headed to my office so that I could put a call through to Chike. He picked up his phone on the 3rd ring.

“Hey babe, Is this a good time to talk?” I asked

“Hey, love. Of course, I also have something to tell you, but what’s up with you?

“I got a promotion at work.”

“What!  That’s awesome, congratulations darling, that means we have a double celebration tonight then.”

“Wait I haven’t told you everything, the promotion would mean that I have to move to Ogun state.”

“Okay. Is there a problem with that?”

“I should be asking you.”

“Asking me?”

“Yes, would you be fine with me moving to Ogun state. I haven’t accepted the promotion offer though so I can always say no.”

“Wow, I can’t believe you are calling to ask if I would be fine with you moving to Ogun state and not to actually share the news of your promotion. What kind of man would I be if I told you to pass up a promotion that you clearly deserve just because of my selfish desire for you to remain in Lagos with me?”

“No babe, I know you are not selfish but…”

“But what? For your information, I also got a promotion at work today, that was why I mentioned having a double celebration and I didn’t think twice before accepting it. I have heard you talk about wanting a promotion on several occasions and now that you have it, you just want to let it go? Why do you need my approval to do something which would obviously make you happy? You always need people’s approval for every single thing you intend to do and that is a very bad way to live. I will see you late in the evening. Goodbye.” and he ended the call.

I could feel tears forming in my eyes.  Chike was telling the truth and but what hurts the most is that I always preach to people to go for what makes them happy, but  I don’t practice what I preach.

I rushed to the Manager’s office immediately to tell him I would take up the offer, but he was already in a meeting with another dentist.

I checked my wristwatch, and it was past 10 minutes since I left the Manager’s office.

THE END

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